Wide Post Two Point Trem...

G

Gransen

New member
Hey everybody, I've got a guitar that has a two point tremolo bridge, and the posts are 73.5mm apart (on center). That's the same spacing as a Tune-O-Matic. I want to replace the trem with an upgrade, but I can't find one that has the 73.5mm spacing.

Anyone have any recommendations, other than gluing in some mahogany blocks into the trem cavity, repainting it, and going with a Tune-O-Matic / Bigsby style setup...??? And yes, I'm trying to talk myself out of that, because WOW does that sound like a fun project...!!! (Never owned a Bigsby, and I'm still trying to figure out how to scratch that itch.)
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gransen said:
Hey everybody, I've got a guitar that has a two point tremolo bridge, and the posts are 73.5mm apart (on center). That's the same spacing as a Tune-O-Matic. I want to replace the trem with an upgrade, but I can't find one that has the 73.5mm spacing.

Anyone have any recommendations, other than gluing in some mahogany blocks into the trem cavity, repainting it, and going with a Tune-O-Matic / Bigsby style setup...??? And yes, I'm trying to talk myself out of that, because WOW does that sound like a fun project...!!! (Never owned a Bigsby, and I'm still trying to figure out how to scratch that itch.)
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whu dont you try instead a FIXED tremolo bridge? like mick thompson from slipknot! could you post a pic?
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

What's a "fixed tremolo bridge...???" Mick Thompson plays an Ibanez RG with probably an Edge Lo Pro (along with some Jackson's and BC Rich with probably a Floyd Rose).

Did you mean "floating...???"

The one on this guitar obviously will float, but is decked (psuedo-fixed), and the cavity isn't big enough for a Floyd Rose. The replacement would have to be more like a Fender-sized trem.

I could pull the mounting bushings, fill the holes, and re-drill new holes; but then Ive got ugly "plugs" that are visible, thus I'd need to repaint. At that point, I'm wondering if I should experiment with a Tune O Matic / Bigsby style setup.

This has become my blues / 60's & 70's rock guitar. I don't use the term very often, but want to keep one on the guitar, so a fixed bridge conversion is out.
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gransen said:
What's a "fixed tremolo bridge...???" Mick Thompson plays an Ibanez RG with probably an Edge Lo Pro (along with some Jackson's and BC Rich with probably a Floyd Rose).

Did you mean "floating...???"

The one on this guitar obviously will float, but is decked (psuedo-fixed), and the cavity isn't big enough for a Floyd Rose. The replacement would have to be more like a Fender-sized trem.

I could pull the mounting bushings, fill the holes, and re-drill new holes; but then Ive got ugly "plugs" that are visible, thus I'd need to repaint. At that point, I'm wondering if I should experiment with a Tune O Matic / Bigsby style setup.

This has become my blues / 60's & 70's rock guitar. I don't use the term very often, but want to keep one on the guitar, so a fixed bridge conversion is out.
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How about a Floyd Rail Tail?
I’m not sure if it would retro fit but it can’t hurt to look at anyway....
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Any chance you could post a pic of what you're working with now?

If you're open to filling and redrilling the holes, you could probably swap to a non-locking Schaller "Vintage Tremolo" (74.3mm studs center-to-center) fairly easily and keep it looking pretty much stock:

419BKCxTJ7L._SX425_.jpg
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gtrjunior said:
How about a Floyd Rail Tail?
I’m not sure if it would retro fit but it can’t hurt to look at anyway....
Click to expand...

Same problem with either the narrow or the wide version, the old mounting holes would be exposed. The F/R Rail Tail looks like a Fender replacement, and I've got an oddball here: Ibanez SAT10 (ie: cheapo trem that seriously downgrades the guitar).
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

That Wilkinson maxes at 62mm stud spacing...filling/drilling the studs would be much more noticeable than with the Schaller, which may not even require redrilling both holes and is only 1mm difference
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

masta' c said:
I think the Schaller I posted above is your best bet
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I think you're right.

The biggest issue is the saddles, they aren't really "locked in place" and can be moved from side-to-side. I could replace the saddles with "height-adjustable" ones that really do lock down pretty good when the screws make contact with the bridge plate, but why not just get a decent bridge and stop screwing around, right...!!!
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Okay, the dam has busted open...!!! Looking up that Schaller "Vintage Style" trem has now linked me to a bunch of stuff like it, to include the Floyd Rose "non-fine tuner" vintage style trem.

That's one thing that I hate about search engines, if you don't say the right thing, you can get stuck looking at everything other than what you actually want. It just keeps on suggesting the wrong thing until you start looking at the right thing.

Thanks for the help, I was seriously stuck...!!!
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

I didn’t go back and re/read the whole thread but would another Ibanez trem work? I would imagine that Ibanez would have a spacing a standard spacing they use for all of their trems?
An original Ibanez edge maybe?
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

The original edge is 74mm at the posts...you can make that work I would think.
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gtrjunior said:
I didn’t go back and re/read the whole thread but would another Ibanez trem work? I would imagine that Ibanez would have a spacing a standard spacing they use for all of their trems?
An original Ibanez edge maybe?
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None that I know of. The Edge series is close, but would require routing out the cavity to make room. This one is just an oddball from Ibanez. (Mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard...and dirt cheap because it's a used Gio!!! Just needs a bridge, some pickups, some tuners, and a tusq nut...)
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gransen said:
None that I know of. The Edge series is close, but would require routing out the cavity to make room. This one is just an oddball from Ibanez. (Mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard...and dirt cheap because it's a used Gio!!! Just needs a bridge, some pickups, some tuners, and a tusq nut...)
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So basically a new guitar?
Just me, but I wouldn’t spend money on that guitar considering you can get a better used one for $4-500.
By the time you upgrade everything you just said you could have bought something better.
Just my opinion.
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gtrjunior said:
So basically a new guitar?
Just me, but I wouldn’t spend money on that guitar considering you can get a better used one for $4-500.
By the time you upgrade everything you just said you could have bought something better.
Just my opinion.
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Dude, you're right. I'm not saying that you're not.

Issue #1: Car guys have a saying, "It's not a hot rod unless you build it yourself." That's me. I bought the guitar because it was in really good shape, and only $80! It actually feels really good in my hands, so I feel the need to hot rod the poor thing.

Issue #2: I'm more of a metal guy and set my guitars up with strings that are a bit too snug to really enjoy full tone bends. Half tone bends, and we're done. That's always been something holding me back in exploring the bluesy rock stuff that I seriously like playing but sort of got away from listening to. So, I'm thinking that $200-$300 on ebay, and I've got a blues rock machine that's worth no more or less than what I've got invested in it. If I'm stupid enough to buy components brand new (and I still might!!!), I'm still probably under $500 total investment for a guitar that - to me - would play like a traditional midrange guitar, and seriously feel good in my hands.

Issue #3: I'm increasingly unimpressed with stock pickups, so I either have to spend $800+ to get the right pups in a stock guitar, or just plan on buying new pups...which is what MANY people on this forum recommend anyhow...so why not just get a guitar that has quality construction and seriously cheap components. Mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard...everything after that is what the manufacturers overcharge for, and it's just pups, bridge, tuners, and a nut. All easily acquired for less than what the manufacturer would charge.

Issue #4: I'm bored. I need a new formula as to how I approach my guitar hobby. I still have 2 guitars that are "stock factory," and I like them, and they'll likely stay that way. But I need something else.

But I'm not joking when I say that you have a good point. My new approach is not for everyone. It makes sense to buy a guitar that has the right pups, bridge, and tuners installed in the factory, and simply set it up, play it, maintain it, and be done with it.
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

To each his own I suppose.
Look what I just bought for $500

30e2166921cdc5770dadd9a36e06b176.jpg

Ibanez RG1570 Prestige
 
Re: Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gtrjunior said:
To each his own I suppose.
Look what I just bought for $500
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Hey look, it's almost everything that I actually hate about Ibanez for a mere $500...!!! (Unless it's one of those 5 piece necks where you really have to look closely to notice that yep, they did put some thin strips of walnut or whatever in there! Then it actually is EVERYTHING that I hate about Ibanez...including that paint job.)

PLEASE don't think that I'm ripping on your guitar, because there is DEFINITELY a "wow" factor...including the price. But I'd be more like, "Wow, if I bought that for $500, I wonder who I could sell it to for $600...?!?"
 
Wide Post Two Point Trem...

Gransen said:
Hey look, it's almost everything that I actually hate about Ibanez for a mere $500...!!! (Unless it's one of those 5 piece necks where you really have to look closely to notice that yep, they did put some thin strips of walnut or whatever in there! Then it actually is EVERYTHING that I hate about Ibanez...including that paint job.)

PLEASE don't think that I'm ripping on your guitar, because there is DEFINITELY a "wow" factor...including the price. But I'd be more like, "Wow, if I bought that for $500, I wonder who I could sell it to for $600...?!?"
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You know what....I tried to help you out. And what did you do? You sh*t on me.
You’re right...your Gio is sooo much better.
Haha haha! Loser
 
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